Device for automatically and periodically spraying a pressurized liquid

ABSTRACT

An improved device for automatically and periodically spraying a pressurized liquid comprises a spray nozzle connected to a liquid source through valve means, a heat-responsive bimetal disc for periodically actuating spraying mechanism and means for defining a chamber for containing the bimetal disc, which defining means for bimetal disc chamber is provided with a vent means capable of adjusting ventilation area thereof, whereby the device is actuated at preselected time intervals for periodical spray.

United States Patent lketani [451 Aug. 15, 1972 [54] DEVICE FORAUTOMATICALLY AND 3,360,165 12/ 1967 lketani ..222/54 PERIODICALLYSPRAYING A 3,241,713 3/ 1966 Clapp et a1 ..222/54 X PRESSURIZED LIQUID3,214,061 10/ 1965 Mills ..222/54 [72] Inventor: 'Taisho lketani Nogota2,948,436 8/1960 Fedenghr et al ..222/54 Nokanmku Tokyo Japan PrimaryExaminer-M. Henson Wood, Jr.

[22] Filed: June 11, 1971 Assistant ExaminerThomas C. Culp, Jr.

[21] No; Attorney-Allan Ratner et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priority Data An improved devicefor automatically and perlodlcally Dec. 18, 1970 Japan ..45/113008Spraying'a pressurized liquid comprises a spray nozzle connected to aliquid source through valve means, a [52] US. Cl ..222/54, 239/67 heatres onsive bimetal disc for periodically actuating 51 l (:1 B67d 5/08 pl I). p yi g mechanism and means for i g a Fleld of Search chamber fcontaining the disc, definy ing means for bimetal disc chamber isprovided with a [56] References Cited vent means capable of adjustingventilation area UNITED STATES PATENTS thereof, whereby the device isactuated at preselected time intervals for periodical spray. 3,596,8008/1971 lketani ..222/54 3,419,189 12/1968 lketani ..222/54 6 Claims, 8Drawing Figures 6b I Z1 3 7/ 5 I We:

14 fs 9 1o 16 PATENTEDAUGIBIHYZ 3.684 133 SHEET 3 [IF 4 DEVICE FORAUTOMATICALLY AND PERIODICALLY SPRAYING A PRESSURIZED LIQUID The presentinvention relates to a device for automatically and periodicallyspraying a pressurized liquid, more particularly, relates to an improveddevice for antomatically and periodically spraying a pressurized liquidat preselected time intervals for periodical spray.

When it is required to spray a disinfectant, insecticide, deodorizer orperfume into a closed chamber such as a warehouse, bath room and toiletroom, generally, the above-mentioned agents are dissolved in a solventtogether with a high pressure liquefied gas and the solution isautomatically and periodically sprayed into the chamber. For instance,when the insecticide is utilized for exterminating noxious insects inthe warehouse, it is necessary to periodically spray a solutioncontaining the insecticide in the warehouse at preselected timeintervals for a long time. Generally, insecticides have an injuriouseffect on human health. Therefore, it is desirable that spraying ofinsecticides is carried out automatically in the absence of theoperator. In order to accomplish the above purpose, various automaticspraying methods wherein the spraying is controlled electrically orelectromagnetically, are provided. However, these proposed methods arenot actually utilized owing to economical disadvantages due to high costthereof.

In the above circumstance, an automatically and periodically sprayingdevice which utilizes a heatresponsive bimetal disc was provided foreliminating the disadvantages of the prior device as mentioned above.Utilizingthe device, the solution containing an agent together with ahigh pressure liquified gas is ejected, from a container into atmosphereby the high pressure of the liquefied gas.

When the solution is sprayed, a portion of the solution, in which theliquefied gas is gasified while causing lowering of ambient temperature,contacts a bimetal disc which is heat-responsive and capable ofreversing its bending direction depending on temperature thereof, so asto cool the bimetal disc. The bimetal disc reverses its bendingdirection through cooling, whereby the spraying of the solution isstopped. Next, the bimetal disc absorbsheat from ambient atmosphere.When the bimetal disc is heated to a prescribed temperature, the bendingdirection is reversed so as to actuate the spraying of the solution.

However, the above-mentioned automatic and periodic spraying device hasthe defect that the time intervals between sprayings fluctuate becausethe time intervals, namely, spray-releasing time period depend onambient temperature which is changeable with time lapse.

From the above-mentioned defect, it is very difficult, in theconventional automatic and periodic spraying device utilizing thebimetal disc, to spray the solution with a predetermined constantquantity thereof at preselected fixed time intervals.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved devicefor automatically and periodically spraying a pressurized liquid atpreselected time intervals.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will bemade more apparent by the following detailed description and theaccompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of anembodiment of the spraying device of the present invention being in anactuating condition,

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a lid member in the bimetal chamber definingmeans of the device shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional member of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of an upper member of a cup member in thebimetal disc chamber-defining means of the device shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional side view of the upper member of FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of thebimetal disc-defining chamber ac cording to the present invention,

FIG. 7 shows a sketchy side view of the bimetal discdefining chambershown in FIG. 6, and

FIG. 8 shows a sketchy side view of another embodiment of the bimetaldisc-defining chamber according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a bimetal disc 1 is contained in a bimetal discchamber 2 formed in a bimetal disc-defining means 6. The bimetal discchamber-defining means 6 is composed of a cup member 3 and a lid member4 and the bimetal disc chamber 2 contains porous and permeablesubstances 5 by which the bimetal disc 1 is. sandwiched. The cup member3 is composed of an upper member 6a and bottom member 6b. A valvechamber 7 is formed in a body member 8 and connected to a spray nozzle10 through a main passageway '9. The main path 9 is also connected tothe bimetal disc chamber 2 through a branched passageway 1 1. A valvemember 12 is disposed in the valve chamber 7 so as to open and close thecommunications between the main passageway 9 and the valve chamber 7 andthe valve chamber 7 and apassageway 19 through which the valve chamber 7is connected to a solution source which is not shown in the drawing. Anactuating rod 13 located in the branched passageway 11 forms a narrowintervening space between the inside wall surface of the branchedpassageway 1 l and the outside surface of the actuating rod 13, andconnected to the valve member 12 through a connection rod 14.

A top end of the actuating rod 13 is operatively connected .to the lowerface of the bimetal disc 1.-

side view of the lid That is, when the temperature of the bimetal disclv rises to a preselected higher point, the bimetal disc 1 bendsdownwardly as shown in FIG. 1, and therefore, the lower face of thebimetal disc 1 downwardly pushes the top end of the actuating rod 13.Th'e'valve member 12 connected to the actuating rod 13, accordingly,goes down so that the upper end 15 of the valve member 12 spaces fromthe lower face of a valve seat 16 which is extended from the body member8 into the valve chamber 7. Namely, the downward bending of the bimetaldisc 1 results in opening he communication between the main passageway 9and the valve chamber 7. Then, the pressurized solution in the solutionsource flows into the main passageway 9 through the valve chamber 7. Themajor portion of the pressurized solution flown in the main passageway 9is sprayed into atmosphere through the spray nozzle 10, and a minorportion thereof is fed into the bimetal disc chamber 2 through thenarrow branched passageway 11. The liquefied gas in the pressurizedsolution fed into the bimetal disc chamber 2 gasifies in the bimetaldisc chamber 2 while absorbing the necessary latent heat forgasification from ambient atmosphere, whereby the bimetal disc 1 iscooled. When the temperature of the cooled bimetal disc 1 lowers to apreselected lower point, the bimetal disc 1 upwardly bends so as torelease the operative connection between the bimetal disc 1 and theactuating rod 13. By this release, the valve member 12 in the valvechamber 7 is upwardly pushed so that the upper end 15 contacts the valveseat 16. That is, the upward bending of the bimetal disc 1 results inclosing of the communication between the valve chamber 7 and the .mainpassageway 9. Accordingly, the spray of the solution is stopped.

The quantity of the pressurized solution sprayed through the spraynozzle l-during one spraying depends on a time period from the time whenthe bimetal disc 1 is downwardly bent, to the time when the bimetal disc1 is upwardly bent. Therefore, the spray quantity of the pressurizedsolution during once spraying can be adjusted by preselecting thebending temperature difference of the bimetal disc 1 between thedownward bending point and the upward bending point thereof.

In the case where a volatile liquid such as methyl alcohol, ethylalcohol, acetone and ether is mixed in the pressurized solution, thesolution fed into the bimetal disc chamber 2 through the branchedpassageway 11 is absorbed by the porous and permeable substance such assponge and synthetic resin spongy material, and then the volatile liquidin the solution is vaporized gradually while the liquefied gas israpidly gasified. In this vaporization, the volatile liquid absorbs thelatent heat for vaporization from ambient atmosphere in the bimetal discchamber 2 so as to result in lowering of the temperature of the bimetaldisc 1.

The bimetal disc 1 which was rapidly cooled with the rapid advance ofgasification of the liquefied gas in the solution, therefore, is furthergradually cooled with the advance of vaporization of the volatile liquidin the solution. The further cooling of the bimetal disc 1 causes anextension of the time period while the temperature of the bimetal disc 1is raised from the preselected lower point or lowered to the preselectedhigher point.

The cooling effect for the bimetal disc 1 by the vaporization ofvolatile liquid strongly depends on ventilating conditions between thebimetal disc chamber 2 and atmosphere. When the bimetal disc chamber 2has a vent having a larger ventilation area so as to successfullyvaporize the volatile liquid, the cooling effect for the bimetal disc 1is more remarkable than that of a smaller ventilation area. This highercooling effect of the volatile liquid causes the extension of timeintervals between a time when the bimetal disc 1 upwardly bends so as tostop spraying and a time when the bimetal disc 1 downwardly bends so asto start spraying. Additionally, when the bimetal disc chamber 2 has asmall vent by which the vaporization of the volatile liquid is notsubstantially effected, the cooling effect of the volatile liquid islower and accordingly, the time period from a time when the bimetal disc1 upwardly bends to a time when the bimetal disc 1 downwardly bendsbecomes shorter than that of the bimetal disc chamber having a largevent. From the above fact, it is concluded that it is possible tocontrol the time intervals for periodically spraying the pressurizedsolution by adjusting the ventilation area of the vent of the bimetaldisc chamber 2.

A feature of the device of the present invention can be found in thepoint that the vent of the bimetal disc chamber 2 is capable of beingadjusted in a desired ventilation area.

In the device shown in FIG. 1, a vent 17 is formed between an upper endof a side wall of the cup member 3 and a peripheral part of lower faceof the lidmember 4. Accordingly, the ventilation area can be adjusted bymoving the lid member 4 with respect to the upper end of the side wallof the cup member 3.

An embodiment of the vent will be explained in more detail referring toFIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the lid member 4 shown in FIG. 1and FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the lid member 4.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the upper member6a of the cup member 3 and FIG.5 is a cross-sectional view of the upper member 6a along line A--A ofFIG. 4. In this embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, an actuatingprojection 20 extends from the lower face of the lid member 4 into thebimetal disc chamber so as to approach the top end of the actuating rod13. When the upper face of the lid member 4 is manually pushed downward,the lower end of the actuating projection 20 effects the pushing down ofthe valve means composed of the actuating rod 13, connecting rod 14 andvalve member 12. Through manually pushing the lid member 4, thepressurized solution is sprayed through the spray nozzle 10.

Preferably, an elastic annular plate 22 is located on the upper member6a facing the lower face of the lid member 4.

In order that the actuating projection 20 is operatively connected withthe actuating rod 13 by manually pushing down the lid member 4 towardthe cup member 3, the annular plate 22 as shown in FIG. 1 is preferablycomposed of an elastic resin foam which is easily compressed bypressing.

The lid member 4 has arc-shaped projection parts 21 extending from theperipheral end thereof as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper member 6a is provided. with asupporting member 30 for the lid member 4. The actuating projection 20of the lid member 4 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is slidably inserted intoa center opening 31 formed at center portion of v the supporting member20, whereby the actuating projection 20 acts as a rotation shaft forrotating the lid member 4 around a center thereof along the upper end'34 of the side wall of the upper member 6a. The actuating projection 20can not be pulled out from the center opening 31 owing to the presenceof a stopper 23 disposed at end of the actuating projection 20. Thesupporting member 31 has a plurality of openings 32 for fluidlyconnecting the internal space of the cup member 4 to atmospheretherethrough. The upper end 34 of the side wall of the upper member 6ahas cut-offs 33 which are capable of fitting the projections 21 of thelid member 4. When the projections 21 of the lid member 4 are put on theupper end 34 of the upper member 6a by rotating the lid member 4 aroundthe actuating projection 20, the bimetal disc chamber 2 can be fluidlyconnected to atmosphere through vents 17 shown in FIG. 1 which vents areformed by the cut-offs 33. When the projections 21 of the lid member 4are fitted in the cut-offs 33 by rotating the lid member 4, the cut-ofis33 is so closed by the projection 21 as to close the communicationbetween the bimetal disc chamber 2 and atmosphere. Accordingly, it ispossible that the vent 17 of the bimetal disc chamber 2 is opened orclosed by rotating the lid member 4 around the actuating projectionalong the upper end 34. The annular sheet 22 put on the supportingmember is effective for completely closing the communication when theprojections 21 are fitted in the cut-offs 33. Also, under the conditionthat the projections 21 are fitted in the cut-offs 33, whenvthe lidmember 4 is manually pushed downwardly, the annular sheet 22 iscompressed, whereby the lower end of the actuating projection 20 isoperatively connected with the top end of the actuating rod 13 throughthe bimetal disc 1.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the bimetal disc chamber 2 canhave only one ventilation area. If the cup member 3 has two or morekinds of cutoffs having different depths from each other, or the lidmember has two or more kinds of projections having different heightsfrom each other, the bimetal disc chamber can have two or more kinds ofvents having ventilation areas different from each other. Accordingly,the time intervals for periodically spraying is variable into two ormore time periods.

Also, the ventilation area of the bimetal disc chamber 2 may be adjustedby sliding the actuating projection 20 up and down along the centeropening 31 of which, internal surface 35 is coated by an elasticsubstance, for example, elastic resin foam and fiber mass so as tosupport the actuating projection 20. It may be that the actuatingprojection 20 is driveably fitted into the opening 31 by way of a screw.I

As shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable that a supplementary vent 18 isformed in the bimetal disc chamberdefining means, in order to fluidlyconnect the bimetal disc chamber to atmosphere even when the vent 17 iscompletely closed. The supplementary vent 18 is effective formaintaining the bimetal disc chamber under normal pressure.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 which show another embodiment of the ventmeans of the birnetal disc chamber, the lid member 4 has a side wall 61extending from the peripheral end of the lid member 4 and surroundingthe side wall of the cup member 3. The side wall 61 has one or moreopenings 62. The side wall of the cup member 3 also has one or moreopenings 63 corresponding to the opening 62. The openings 62 and 63 arelocated so that they can be superimposed with one another. Accordingly,the effective ventilation area can be optionally adjusted by rotatingthe lid member 4 around the actuating projection 6 along the upper endof the cup member 3.

Referring to FIG. 8 which shows another embodiment of the vent means,the side wall of the lid member 4 has one or more cut-offs 82 at a lowerend thereof, and the side wall of the cup member 3 has one or morecut-ofi's 83 at an upper end thereof. These cut-offs 82 and 83 arelocated so that they can be superimposed with one another by rotatingthe lid member 4 along the upper end of the cup member 3. Accordingly,the ventilation area of the bimetal disc chamber can be optionallyadjusted by rotation of the lid member 4.

What we claim is:

1. An improved device for automatically and periodically spraying apressurized liquid comprising:

means for defining a valve chamber connectable to a pressurized liquidsource;

means for defining a bimetal disc chamber disposed downstream from saidvalve chamber;

a nozzle disposed downstream from said valve chamber for spraying saidpressurized liquid into atmosphere;

means for defining a main passageway providing communication betweensaid valve chamber and said spray nozzle and a branched passagewayproviding communication between said 'main passageway and said bimetaldisc chamber;

valve means disposed within said valve chamber for opening and closingsaid communication between said pressurized liquid source and said mainpassageway,

and a heat-responsive bimetal disc mounted within said bimetal discchamber for actuating said valve means in a first position wherein saidbimetal disc is heated to a temperature not lower than a preselectedhigh temperature to effect opening of said communication between saidpressurized liquid source and said main passageway, and in a secondposition wherein said bimetal disc is cooled to a temperature notexceeding a preselected low temperature to effect closing saidcommunication, said bimetal disc chamber-defining means is provided witha vent means for providing communication between said bimetal discchamber and atmosphere, capable of adjusting ventilation area thereofwhereby said device is actuated at preselected time intervals forperiodic spray.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bimetal discchamber-defining means comprises a-cup member connected .to saidbranched passageway and a movable lid member covering said cup member,said vent means is formed between an upper end of said cup member and-alower end of said lid member, and said ventilation area is adjusted bymoving said lid member with respect to said cup member.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said lid member is capableof moving along an axis line of said cup member.

4. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said lid member is capableof moving along said upper end of said cup member.

5. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said upper endof said cupmember has at least one cut-off and said lower end of said lid member atleast one projection capable of fitting in said cut-off, whereby whensaid projection is put into said cut-off, said ventilation area becomesminimum, but when said projection is put outside said cut-ofi of saidcup member, said ventilation area becomes maximum.

6. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said cup member has atleast one vent opening formed on the side wall thereof, and said lidmember has at least one vent opening formed on the side wall thereofcapable of being superposed on said opening of said cup member.

1. An improved device for automatically and periodically spraying apressurized liquid comprising: means for defining a valve chamberconnectable to a pressurized liquid source; means for defining a bimetaldisc chamber disposed downstream from said valve chamber; a nozzledisposed downstream from said valve chamber for spraying saidpressurized liquid into atmosphere; means for defining a main passagewayproviding communication between said valve chamber and said spray nozzleand a branched passageway providing communication between said mainpassageway and said bimetal disc chamber; valve means disposed withinsaid valve chamber for opening and closing said communication betweensaid pressurized liquid source and said main passageway; and aheat-responsive bimetal disc mounted within said bimetal disc chamberfor actuating said valve means in a first position wherein said bimetaldisc is heated to a temperature not lower than a preselected hightemperature to effect opening of said communication between saidpressurized liquid source and said main passageway, and in a secondposition wherein said bimetal disc is cooled to a temperature notexceeding a preselected low temperature to effect closing saidcommunication, said bimetal disc chamber-defining means is provided witha vent means for providing communication between said bimetal discchamber and atmosphere, capable of adjusting ventilation area thereofwhereby said device is actuated at preselected time intervals forperiodic spray.
 2. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidbimetal disc chamber-defining means comprises a cup member connected tosaid branched passageway and a movable lid member covering said cupmember, said vent means is formed between an upper end of said cupmember and a lower end of said lid member, and said ventilation area isadjusted by moving said lid member with respect to said cup member.
 3. Adevice as set forth in claim 2, wherein said lid member is capable ofmoving along an axis line of said cup member.
 4. A device as set forthin claim 2, wherein said lid member is capable of moving along saidupper end of said cup member.
 5. A device as set forth in claim 2,wherein said upper eNd of said cup member has at least one cut-off andsaid lower end of said lid member at least one projection capable offitting in said cut-off, whereby when said projection is put into saidcut-off, said ventilation area becomes minimum, but when said projectionis put outside said cut-off of said cup member, said ventilation areabecomes maximum.
 6. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said cupmember has at least one vent opening formed on the side wall thereof,and said lid member has at least one vent opening formed on the sidewall thereof capable of being superposed on said opening of said cupmember.